by Isi Esene

The political crisis in River state is taking a turn for the worse as delegates loyal to the state governor, Rotimi Amaechi have decided to boycott the Peoples Democratic Party mini-convention scheduled to take place in Abuja on Saturday.

This decision was made public yesterday by the leader of the Rivers State Caucus in the National Assembly, Asita Asita, who said the action was necessary due to the national PDP leadership’s seeming indifference to the political crisis rocking the party in the state.

The boycotting delegates include two serving senators and 10 House of Representatives members and all commissioners, particularly those not expelled by the Felix Obuah-led state leadership of the party.

Others who joined the boycott action are 27 pro-Amaechi Rivers State House Assembly members suspended by the state leadership of the party, chairmen of all 23 local governments in the state and those of the party local government area chairmen instituted by the deposed Wilson Ake-led state executive of the party.

“The leadership of the party at the centre has refused to bring under control the rascality with which activities of the party are being run by the illegal administration of the PDP in the state. We are not satisfied with the illegal suspension of Governor Amaechi who is the known leader of the party in the state.

“We are aware of the mini-convention and were hoping the party at the centre would take appropriate steps over the disrepute the party is suffering. Because the party at the centre has failed to do what it is supposed to do, we have decided to boycott the convention.

“Those qualified at the last convention are those who are still qualified to attend this coming convention according to INEC. So anyone claiming to represent Rivers at the convention is not qualified to do so,” Asita reportedly said.

The member representing Gokana Constituency, Innocent Barikor, said “in support of the leaders from the Rivers NASS caucus, 27 of us from the Rivers State Assembly are also in support of the boycott in solidarity with the governor.”